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by John Sexton

Q: Hello, John, I have a couple of holsters I believe to be from the
Civil War Era and would like to get an appraisal of their value.
The first one is 12.5 inches long. I was told these were found in
Virginia in or near Shenandoah County, but I have no paperwork
to verify that. The second one, which is in pretty rough shape, is
14.5 inches long.

JS: The first holster with the embossed US cartouche is Indian A Civil War Era flap
Wars Era, circa 1880. There are many variations in these, and holster in very rough
some are actually quite scarce, but that is hard to tell without condition, $75-$125.
further research. The condition of this one is not very good so
I imagine the value is not more than $100 to $200. The second An Indian Wars Era holster,
holster is a Civil War Era flap holster, possibly military, again ca. 1880, worth about $100-
in poor-fair condition and valued at $75-125. $200 because of its condition.

Q: Hi Mr. Sexton, If you could tell me whatever you can about it. I am familiar with
My wife bought me this flag for Christmas. I saw it a few months back Gen. Hood and the Texas brigade and Antietam and so on. I would like to
in an old country store by where I live in Northeast PA. The store has many know if there is anything else I can check to see if it is real, I do know a lot
antique items hanging around. I told her I believe it is from the Civil War of Confederate items are not authentic. If you could tell me if there is any
and someday I would like to see about getting it. She went there and asked value to the flag other than my love of history.
the owner if he wanted to sell it. He said “you want that old thing?” and Please feel free to get in touch with me. Email is best since I can not often
sold it to her for basically nothing. It is attached to a wood backer with some get to my phone. If you would like to call, please leave a message and I will
old adhesive. Most of it will come off. I am not doing anything with it for get back to you.
fear of damaging it. It measures about 20x32-34 inches. I don’t know if it Thank you so very much for your time.
is made of wool or cotton.
There is a note pasted on it that reads: “Camp flag of ‘Hoods’ 1st Texas JS: I hate to inform you but your flag
Brigade, Confederate States of America. Made by Pvt William ‘Billy’ is a fake. It’s made of new materials
Houck, 19 years of age, with fake tags in an attempt to
wounded at the Battle of give it provenance and history.
Antietam Creek Maryland Confederate flag historian and
Sept. 17, 1862. Donated to authority Greg Biggs wrote a won-
Biskobs Museum of the derful monograph maybe 10-15
American Civil War by his years ago concerning this genre of
daughter Violet Mosier Oct. fraudulent flags that were at one
1, 1931.” time prolific and probably manufac-
The only thing I could tured in East Tennessee. For more
not really make out was the information, you can find him on
name of the Museum. one of the numerous flag forums
online. I have seen several of these
flags selling in auctions for thou-
sands of dollars but they are worth
nothing as a historical item. One of
the manufacturers sells them
strictly as decorations and
will make them anywhere you
like them and whatever unit
you want and charge us $300
to produce them. However,
she must have a regular
clientele who have lots of these
made and they “seed” them in
auctions and antique markets
nationwide.

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to mclwriter@gmail.com.

36 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles